Is Boris Johnson standing at next general election? Here is what former PM has said about his future

The former London mayor resigned as Conservative party leader in July
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Boris Johnson will stand again as an MP at the next general election, a source close to the former prime minister has confirmed.

The ex-PM resigned as leader of the Conservative Party in July after a series of scandals, including the partygate revelations. He was rumoured to be considering a bid to replace Liz Truss but decided not to stand against Rishi Sunak.

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Speculation has been rife about his political future since departing Number 10, however a source has confirmed that Johnson will run for re-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip at the next poll. A general election is next expected to be held in 2024.

He has been an MP in the west London constituency since 2015, winning it with a majority of 5,034 in 2017 and 7,210 in 2019, by which time he was prime minister. It has been a Tory seat since its creation in 2010.

Here is all you need to know:

Is Boris Johnson planning to stand at the next general election?

A source confirmed Johnson’s decision to stand for a fourth time after the Telegraph first reported that he told his local Conservative Party of his intention. But if a continuing Commons investigation finds he committed contempt of Parliament by misleading MPs over lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street, Johnson could face a fight for his seat in a by-election.

Since leaving No 10, Johnson appears to have embraced life as a backbencher, tweeting about a number of constituency visits including to Ruislip Synagogue and Uxbridge High School this week. He has also already started a lucrative post-prime ministerial career on the speaking circuit, having been paid £276,000 for a speech to American insurers barely a month after leaving No 10.

Boris Johnson addresses the nation as he announces his resignation outside 10 Downing StreetBoris Johnson addresses the nation as he announces his resignation outside 10 Downing Street
Boris Johnson addresses the nation as he announces his resignation outside 10 Downing Street

Why did Boris Johnson resign as Prime Minister?

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Johnson was forced from office in the summer after a slew of scandals – including Partygate – culminated in the mass resignation of ministers. He plotted a return to the top job in the wake of Liz Truss’s resignation, but dropped his comeback bid saying he had been unsuccessful in his efforts to “reach out” to his rivals – Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt – to work together.

Clearly still harbouring a desire to return to Downing Street, Johnson could pose a challenge for Prime Minister Sunak, and has already caused a headache by joining a Tory rebellion against Sunak’s opposition to onshore wind. Johnson’s decision to seek re-election comes amid a steady stream of Tory MPs saying they will stand down.

The party is braced for a growing exodus as opinion polls suggest the Conservatives are facing an almighty challenge to recover their popularity. A by-election is taking place in the City of Chester seat on Thursday 1 December.

Why is Boris Johnson being investigated by MPs?

Johnson is being investigated over whether he mislead Parliament over his comments that “all guidance was followed in No. 10” and “I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken” which were made on 8 December 2021.

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The then-Prime Minister was later issued a fixed penalty notice for breaking Covid lockdown rules in 2020. Current PM Sunak was also fined over the same event.

It is alleged that the above statements mislead the house due to the further revelations about lockdown rule breaking in Downing Street during the pandemic.

The Sun reports that No10 has already handed over documents, emails, pictures and messages to the committee. One insider told the paper that the information was so damning that it would likely lead to a Commons suspension. They told the Sun: “Boris is screwed.”

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